Snow plow with laterally expansible fixed angle plow portions



March 11, 1969 B. M. CARLSON SNOW PLOW WITH LATERALLY EXPANSIBLE FIXED ANGLE PLOW PORTIONS Filed May 19, 1966 Sheet INVENTOR.

ATTogNEYs March 11, 1969 B. M. CARLSON 3,431,661

SNOW PLOW WITH LATERALLY EXPANSIBLE FIXED ANGLE PLOW PORTIONS Sheet of 2 Filed May 19, 1966 INVENTOR.

BEET M. CAZLSON v gz-airw Arrazue'ys United States Patent 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A snow plow having a pair of adjustable plow portions movable by linkage means from a first, closed position wherein the forward edges thereof converge at a V-point to a second, expanded position for plowing wide paths. The angle which the plow portions define with the direction of movement of the plow remains the same in said first and second positions.

This invention relates to a snow plow and more particularly relates to a push type snow plow adapted to efficiently clear a path and then be expanded for a subsequent pass making the path wider.

In shoveling snow, it is desirable to minimize the lifting action and substitute therefor a pushing action. Further, it is important that the generally upright blade which pushes the snow away, as opposed to the generally horizontal 'blade upon which snow is lifted, presents the minimum pressure area against the snow being pushed. It is for this reason that a generally V-shaped upright plow is utilized to contact the snow, forcing the snow to the sides. If a large angle is used between the upright V-shaped plow portions, a flatter snow confronting surface faces the snow creating greater resistance. Resistance increases as the angle is increased. Correspondingly, resistance decreases as the angle decreases in an efficient snow plow. This angle should be determined .as the optimum balance between the width of the path desired and the force necessary to effect the removal of snow along the path.

Of the manual pusher type snow plows available, many present a high resistance with respect to the upright plow portion engaging the snow to be pushed. Others, although providing a minimum resistance with respect to the snow, do not clear a wide path. Pusher type snow plows which clear a path with adjustments for clearing a wider path on subsequent passes utilize a greatly increasing angle between the upright V-shaped plow portions thereby confronting the snow with a plow of greater resistance each time the path is widened.

With these comments in mind it is to the elimination of these and other disadvantages to which the present invention is directed along with the inclusion therein of other novel and desirable features.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved snow plow of simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel snow plow which confronts the snow with an optimum plow angle pushing maximum snow away with relative case each time a pass is made.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of an improved snow plow which widens the cleared path without the need for lifting snow and without substantially changing the optimum angle at which the plow portions confront the snow to be removed.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a snow plow which may be adjusted to suit the height of the user thereby maintaining the optimum orientation of the handle of the plow and scraper blade with respect to the surface to be plowed.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a snow plow which is manually operated and which is readily pivoted manually to compensate for irregularities in the surface to be plowed.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following descrip tion made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of my snow plow with the expanded position of my snow plow shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of my snow plow showing the plow in closed position.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing my snow plow in closed position.

One form of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is described herein. Referring to FIG. 1, my snow plow is shown, indicated in general by numeral 10, in the closed position in the solid lines. The dotted lines indicate an open position of the snow plow which position clears a wider path after a first path has been cleared with the plow in the closed position. The shovel consists of a main elongate handle member 11 to which is attached a pair of angulated brackets 12 bolted to the elongate handle 11 by bolt assembly 13. Brackets 12 are disposed within a cylindrical, typically wooden, handle 14 which provides the pushing bar for the snow plow 10. Pushing handle 14 receives elongate handle 11 at socket 14a providing a rigid assembly. Adjustment means 15 are slidably mounted on the elongate handle 11 to actuate the snow plow to a wider path position. A plurality of transverse slots 16 are disposed on handle 11 and are adapted to receive the path adjusting means 15 securing the shovel for a predetermined path Width, adjusting means 15 includes a handle 17 with a slot engaging prong 18 pivoted at 19 on support 20 attached to sleeve 21. Prong 18 is adapted to engage a slot 16 to secure the snow plow in a predetermined position. Handle 17, which is affixed to the prong 18, is normally biased in the engaging position locking the snow plow blades in a desired position. The adjusting means components are typically formed from metallic, rigid material, but may also be formed from impact resistant plastics.

A generally rigid metallic bracket 22 is attached to sleeve 21 generally transversely thereto and adapted to receive connecting links 23 pivotally mounted thereto. A pair of connecting links 23 are pivotally attached, at one end thereof, to bracket 22 at pivot points 24. Each of a pair of elongate main links 25 are pivotally con-' nected, on one end, to each of links 23 at pivot point 25a. At the other end of links 25, each link is pivotally attached to a pivot point 25b on the snow plow portion. Links 25 are pivotally connected substantially intermediate their ends, to elongate handle 11 at pivot point 26, thereby providing a scissor-like action when articulated 113% links 23 responsive to movements of adjusting means Each of a pair of upper supporting links 27 are pivotally connected to link 25 at pivot points 28 which are between pivots 25a and 26 respectively. Articulated lower supporting links 29 are pivotally connected to links 25 at pivot points 28, on one end thereof.

The links of which may expansible snow plow are constructed are typically made from light weight aluminum bar material. The aluminum is approximately 4 inches wide by about A inch thick. This provides a strong trouble free linkage assembly, yet with minimum weight. The elongate handle portion 11 is typically constructed from steel tubing having about 1 inch diameter. Pivots may be made with any nut, bolt and washer assembly or may be made with a cotter pin, key and washer assembly.

FIG. 1 shows my snow plow in plan view having an up right plow consisting of a pair of upright snow confronting portions. The pair of side uprights 30 substantially converge forming a V-shaped member as viewed in plan view. A pair of substantially horizontal load bearing beds 31 are afiixed to upright plow portions 30 and extend outwardly therefrom. A leading scraper bar 32 is positioned on each load carrying bed 31 and is detachable therefrom. The scraper bar 32 aids in cleaning snow from a surface. Scraper bar 32 is made from a high wear resistant alloy steel whereas the load carrying member 31 and upright plow portion 30 may be constructed of a light weight metal such as aluminum or light gauge metal. A pair of upturned guide portions 33 are afiixed to load carrying members 31 and confine and direct the snow rearwardly through the openings indicated at 34 in the direction of the arrows. This gives a well defined edge along the path of travel of the snow shovel.

A pair of substantially U-shaped brackets 35 are bolted (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to each of the upright portions 3% of the plow, substantially rearwardly of the direction of travel of the plow. The U-shaped brackets have upper legs 35a and lower legs 35b. Upper legs 35a of U-shaped members 35 are adapted to receive upper links 27 which are pivotally attached thereto at pivot points 36. Lower legs 35b receive angulated lower links 29 which are pivotally attached thereto at pivot points 37. The U-shaped member 35 is typically formed from a relatively thick, rigid metallic member such as a channel irOn.

A pair of substantially U-shaped brackets 38 having non-parallel legs are aifixed to the upright portions 30 of the plow forwardly of the direction of travel. The lower leg 38a is pivotally mounted to link at the end thereof at pivot point 25b. The upper legs 38b have apertures therein and are adapted to meet in over-lapping relation providing the apertures 39 are in superimposed relation. In this position apertures 39 receive a lock pin 40 securing the plow portions in the closed position. A chain 41 is secured to pin 40 and, in turn, is secured to one of the upright plow portions 30 by a bolt assembly 42, thereby preventing loss of the pin when the pin is dis engaged to allow the plow to be expanded.

Referring to FIG. 2, castor assemblies 44 are shown mounted to the under surface of load carrying beds 31 of the snow plow 10. The castor assemblies include a rotating wheel adapted to engage the surface being plowed. The wheel also revolves about a vertical axis. Castors 44 are commercially available.

The configuration of angulated lower link members 29 is shown. Cotter pin and cotter key pivot points for the linkages described in FIG. 1 are indicated, although other means may be used. Bracket 38 is shown bolted to the upright portions of bolt assemblies 45. It should be noted that the upper leg portion 38b is substantially parallel with the ground, while the lower leg portion 38a is substantially parallel with the links 25. The profile of upturned portion 33 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as well as the outlet area 34 for the snow. Rear bracket is shown bolted to the upright plow portion 30 with bolt assemblies 46. Pin is shown in place in apertures 39 in overlapping member 38b. Adjusting mechanism 15 is shown with the prong 18 engaged in notch 16, thereby maintaining the position of the plow.

Referring to FIG. 3, the snow confronting plow is shown with uprights 30 secured together for a first pass. The detachable leading edges 32 are shown attached to beds 31. The direction of snow travel is indicated by the arrows and exits at the outer edges 34 of the plow portions 30 thereby defining an accurate edge along each side of the path of travel of the plow. Pivot point 26 is shown attached to handle 11. Pivot point 26 may be moved along the length of handle 11 thereby providing an adjustment in the length of handle 11 to accommodate the various heights of users or operators,

In operation, my expansible snow plow is first positioned on the surface to be cleaned with the plow uprights 30 in a V-shaped configuration with pin 40 engaging the apertures 39 in over-lapping legs 38b of the brackets 38. This secures the plow portions 30 in rigid V-shaped plowing relation with their forward edges held together at a sharp, snow-engaging apex as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. The adjusting means 15 is secured in a predetermined notch 16 thereby providing a rigid supporting linkage system, properly supporting the rear portions of the uprights 30. The user then pushes the plow along the surface to be cleaned contactin the snow at the upright blade portion 30 and directing the snow outwardly through openings 34. Upturned edges 33 define a path along each side of the direction of travel of the snow plow. Since the angle between uprights 30 is selected to give optimum operating characteristics, the plow proceeds efiiciently with relative ease while cleaning a maximum width path without the need for any lifting whatsoever.

If a transverse crack in the pavement contacts leading edge 32, the operator may simply pivot the snow plow downwardly, engaging castors 44 with the surface being plowed and pivot the plow about castors 44 thereby raising leading edge 32 above the transverse crack. The operator may then proceed after elevating handle 11 to the desired position. The snow plow is not pushed with castors 44 supporting the plow, but rather with the castors 44 somewhat above the surface being cleaned.

After the first pass is made to define a relatively narrow path, a subsequent pass is made with the plow portions 30 in expanded relation. This is done by simply removing pin 40 from apertures 39 and utilizing adjusting means 15. Handle 17 is depressed, thereby raising prong 18 from groove 16 in handle 11. Sleeve 21 may then be moved downwardly relative to the handle 11 thereby moving bracket 24 and corresponding links 23. Links 23 articulate links 25 providing a scissor-like action spreading the uprights 30 apart to the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1. Links 27 and 29, which are attached to links 25, support the rear of upright plow portions 30 and urge the rear plow portions outwardly. When the predetermined width has been reached, the handle 17 is released and prong 18 is free to engage a notch 16 thereby securing the snow plow in the predetermined expanded position. A second pass is then made, providing a wider path in the same way that the first path was cleared. It should be noted, that the relative angles of uprights 30, with respect to the angle at which the uprights 30 engage the snow is substantially the same. This provides the desired plowing action and confronts the snow with a minimum upright surface providing a knifing and eflicient pushing aside action.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a push type snow plow which clears a path with relative ease and which may be expanded without substantially changing the angle at which the plow confronts the snow. Further, my snow plow is adequately and properly supported by the necessary supporting members which may also serve as means to expand my snow plow. Further, my snow plow is constructed in such a way that it may be easily disassembled for storage and is of light weight material, thereby reducing the load which is being pushed. My snow shovel will clear an extremely wide path Without the need for any lifting whatsoever.

It is to be noted that my snow plow could be mounted on a self-propelled vehicle such as a tractor or motor grader. The relatively large, adjustable plow portions re quired for such applications could be actuated by a hydraulic cylinder connected to the pivotal linkage means supporting the plow portions.

What is claimed is:

1. A manually operated, push-type expansible snow plow adapted to remove snow and the like from a surface, said snow plow comprising:

an elongated handle member,

a plow member adapted to be positioned generally upright relative to the surface to be cleaned, said plow member having a pair of adjustable plow portions arranged in a substantially V-shaped configuration and confronting the snow to be removed with upright surfaces at a predetermined angle relative to the path of travel of said snow plow, the forward edges of said plow portions converging at a snow-engaging apex when said plow portions are in a closed position;

linking means interconnecting said plow member with said handle member, said linking means being pivotally attached to each of said pair of plow portions whereby said plow portions are supported in predetermined position relative to the path of travel of said plow and,

actuating means for articulating said linking means so as to expand said plow portions outwardly from said closed position to a predetermined width, said linking means being so constructed and arranged as to substantially maintain said predetermined angle of said plow portions relative to the path of travel of said snow plow whereby snow may be removed in the expanded position of said plow member subsequent to a first pass of said plow in said V-shaped snow confronting configuration.

2. The device of claim 1 including castors aflixed to the undersurface of each of said plow portions rearwardly of said forward edges thereof, said castors being raised above the ground when said snow plow is held in its normal snow removal position, and adapted to engage the ground by the lowering of said handle member to provide pivot points about which said handle may be lowered still further to raise the front end of said plow over obstructions.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongate handle member is adjustably connected to said linking means for adjustment longitudinally with respect to said plow member to thereby accommodate operators of varying heights.

4. A snow plow as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said linking means comprises a first set of pivotal links connected to one of said pair of plow portions and a second set of pivotal links connected to the other one of said plow portions;

said actuating means comprises a shiftable member operatively associated with both said first and second sets of pivotal links, whereby the shifting of said actuating member will simultaneously adjust both of said plow portions.

5. A snow plow as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said first and second sets of pivotal links include a pair of linkage members which cross each other at a common pivot point and which are connected to said pair of plow portions at their outer ends, said crossing linkage members being movable in a scissors-like manner by said actuating member.

6. A snow plow as defined in claim 1, and further including:

lock means positively securing said forward edges of said plow portions together in said closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,672,490 6/ 1928 Herchert 375 3 1,820,692 8/1931 Cooper 37-53 2,229,053 l/ 1941 De Vaux 3753 2,772,490 12/1956 Hnastchenko 3753 2,895,237 7/ 1959 Abrahams 37--53 FOREIGN PATENTS 72,340 8/1931 Sweden.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

EUGENE H. EICKHOLT, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 37-53; 29457 

